Cabezas and Tomase defeated North Carolina State’s tandem of Amelia Rajecki and Maddy Samprado, 1-6, 6-1, 11-9, at Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The Lady Vols’ doubles team also achieves All-America status, becoming the 12th duo in Tennessee history to accomplish the feat. Cabezas and Tomase are the nation’s No. 11 doubles team and are the fifth Tennessee doubles team to make the national quarterfinals.
Cabezas and Tomase have recorded 14 wins as a doubles team this season. The team has also posted six wins over the nation’s top doubles team.
After losing the first set, Cabezas and Tomase won 26 of 34 points during the second set. The team also missed two first-serve points.
Two Tennessee women’s tennis players qualify for individual national championships.
Two Tennessee women’s tennis players earned bids to the NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
The tournament will take place May 20-25 at Greenwood Tennis Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Sofia Cabezas was selected to compete in singles competition. She will also team with Elza Tomase to compete in the doubles portion of the national championships.
Cabezas, a senior for the Lady Vols, earned an at-large bid in the singles bracket. The Valencia, Venezuela native is ranked No. 13 in the nation. She is an All-SEC performer and has recorded 10 wins as Tennessee’s No. 1 singles player. Cabezas earned six wins against ranked opponents, including victories over three players ranked in the top 10.
In doubles, the team of Cabezas and Tomase (12-4) earned an at-large bid. The duo is the nation’s No. 9 doubles team.
“The NCAA does a great job of hosting first-class event at the final site of competition, so it’s a fun feeling for three of our girls to walk around the USTA National Campus the last few days, knowing that they have performed well enough to earn them a spot amongst the best in college tennis,” Tennessee head coach Alison Ojeda said. “I look forward to getting out in the heat tomorrow and coaching the girls as they compete against some tough opponents.”
Monday, May 22 – Singles Round of 64 schedule
12:30 p.m. EDT – Elza Tomase versus Abbey Forbes, North Carolina
12:30 p.m. EDT – Rebeka Mertena versus Maddy Sieg, USC
1:30 p.m. EDT – Daria Kuczer versus Natasha Subhash, Virginia
Three Lady Vols Daria Kuczer, Rebeka Mertena and Elza Tomase to compete in NCAA tennis singles championship.
No. 2 seed Texas A&M defeated No. 15 Tennessee, 4-1, in a NCAA Tournament super regional at Mitchell Outdoor Tennis Center in College Station, Texas on Friday.
Team competition concluded for Tennessee’s 2023 season.
Three Lady Vols, Daria Kuczer, Rebeka Mertena and Elza Tomase, will compete in the NCAA Singles Championship, taking place in Orlando, Florida May 22-27.
Kuczer and Mertena are graduate students, while Tomase is a sophomore.
Following team competition at Texas A&M in the NCAA Tournament, Kuczer and Mertena discussed their time at Tennessee.
Texas A&M’s Jeanette Mireles and Gianna Pielet defeated Eleonora Molinaro and Kuczer, 7-6 (7-5), in doubles competition. In singles competition, Kuczer and Mia Kupres went unfinished, 6-3, 2-6, 5-6.
“The feeling right now is bittersweet,” Kuczer said. “Another chapter in my life came to a close which is my collegiate career with this team, though we have individuals ahead of us. This year was one of the most amazing years I have had and I could not envision a better finish to my career at Tennessee. Collectively, we have done something special for the program, and my hope is that the teams after this will keep breaking records. I could not be more proud of each and every individual on this team and I can never be thankful enough for all the people. I’m not just talking about the team, but the coaches, the staff, the athletic trainers, Izzy Minkin and Yosef Presburger, and our strength and conditioning coach Ryan Metzger. They each gave us something that we could use today and all season.”
Daria Kuczer, Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire
Mertena and Esther Adeshina defeated Jayci Goldsmith and Salma Ewing, 6-4, in doubles competition.
Salma Ewing and Mertena, 7-6 (7-2), 3-6, 3-5, went unfinished in singles-play.
“Obviously, today was extremely emotional as I played my last team match,” Mertena said. “I gave everything I had and I know everyone else did as well. I am so proud of this team and all we accomplished this year. I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else by my side. It’s been one helluva ride and I can’t thank enough the people who have been by me through all of it.”
Lady Vols’ Elza Tomase named SEC Player of the Week.
Tennessee sophomore Elza Tomas earned Southeastern Conference Player of the Week honors on Wednesday.
“Everyone knows Elza can hit a big serve and rip the ball from the baseline, but that alone does not get it done in our conference,” Lady Vols’ head coach Alison Ojeda said in a press release. “What Elza is really allowing herself to develop is taking ownership of her decisions. Whether that is shot selection or how she manages her in-between points, she is really working hard to own her craft.
“We are so proud of her for taking home this honor and we are excited to continue to coach her.”
